Hi Ladies its me GGI didn't know exactly how to put it or where to post this, so here goes,,,,,,I'm a bit uncomfortable litterally.  My elemenation seems to have slowed down.  I'm doing the vitamins, supplements, progesterone cream routine.  I also have to take Zantec for my heartburn.  I don't want to get in the routine of laxitives.I've been taking fiber chewables one a day for the last 4 days.   I would love to get this going on the right track.I've heard that Flaxseed is helpful, for this and many other health related issues.If anyone else is experiencing a sluggish digestion, I would appreciate any helpful remedies.I hope I didn't offend anyone with the subject matterThank youGG   :confused:

Hey GG. I've had this problem most of my life and only recently really solved it. For me, the answer is the big old bowl of bran flakes every morning. Yucky, huh? But most of the cereals are fairly sweet so they are not too bad. I use Complete Wheat Bran cereal, but I'm sure any will do. Also, the flax seeds (ground up--I don't think the oil works, i.e., no fiber?) help too, but I don't use it every day.

You know, I used to get heartburn a lot too, but it stopped when I started doing crunches (makes no sense, I know, but I've got a dumb theory that the exercises tightened up the sphincter muscle at the bottom of the esophagus so I didn't have the acid reflux).

Hope you get some relief!

Hi GG. I bet there's a lot of us that can relate to what you're talking about!

I also have a bowl of raisin bran every morning, and I sprinkle about a tablespoon of ground flax seed on top of it. I pour soy milk over it = instant breakfast with lots of good things for me.

My husband has a similar problem - he has a tablespoon of psyllium husk in his orange juice every morning - he swears by it. I buy the psyllium husks in bulk at a health food store. It looks a little bit like the husks of bird seed after the birds are finished with it! (But it keeps my hubby happy and regular!)

Good luck!

Hi GG!Yep, the same problem came to visit me about six months after my last period.  And, thinking back, I was also constipated for two or three days before my periods when I was younger, so I guess when the hormones quit the bowels also went on strike.

I use the tablespoon of psyllium almost every day, and, for the most part, have no more problems.  Sigh -- I'm beginning to feel like an old lady, what with the pills, the Metamucil and so on -- what will it be next?  Orthopaedic shoes???  ;-)

I used to have a lot of problems with stomach acid and took Zantac almost every day.  However, several years ago I began to drink bottled water (bottled from a spring in Pennsylvania) and oddly enough, *most* of the acid problem settled down.  Coincidence?  Perhaps.  But if I run out of bottled water and drink tap water for a few days, I find that I begin to have indigestion again.  And, I've learned to drink lots of water each day -- it's so good for us -- bowels, complexion, and so on.

The *natural* water might be worth a try.  Take care!

JennaN, Jean, Wordgirl,thank you so much, for your suggestions.I've been drinking fresh natural Alpine Spring water (bottled), for years now.  Mine comes from Mt. Shasta spring, here in Northern Calif.  As for the bran flakes and the flax seed, I'm going to get some today.  I have had elemenation problems on and off most my life.  When I was still having periods however  I would go the opposite, at that time of the month,  loose elemenation, not constipated.However I've talked to my girl friends over the years on this very subject only to realize that so many women have this same problem.  Especially on trips.  Seems we get into our routines what ever they may be, then when we get out of our routines, it upsets our tummy.For me it was reading the newspaper, having my coffee, or tea and then Poooof I'd do my thing.  Now seems the past few months its gotten so sluggish.  I put it off menopause.  Also I'm thinking that maybe the Zantac could be doing it.  Will do the crunches and try the other suggestions.  I welcome any other suggestions that others may have for this ,,,,Thank youGG  :biggrin:

Jenna, you have taken the words from my mouth. For some reason, I just never thought I'd get "old," and I'm not even an idiot or anything. Everyone else would get old. Of course, we are probably just middle-aged, but that was never in my vocabulary either. A couple of years ago I noticed back stiffness when I'd been leaning forward at my desk for a length of time and this was shocking to me. It was such an insult. On the one hand, I do see getting older as sort of "freeing," but on the other, it is depressing because it means we are closer to death, obviously. Oh gosh, I'm going to bring everyone down, so I'll stop here!

Hey Wordgirl bite your tongue,,,LOL your right stop there.The way I figure it, the aches and pains and all the complaining,,,,,,,well it definitely does beat that alternative.  We are alive, we are so lucky, we are here to see our babies have babies and watch those babies grow into little peoples.  There is so much out there for us to discover yet,,,,,,, Ahhhhh the adventure of it all.   Yes I'am truly blessed.  Even with my constipation, LMAOyour meno buddieGG  :biggrin:

Golly, there are so many posts on this thread that I can relate to!  

    Thank you, GG, for bringing up your subject!  It seems if I'm patient, I'll usually see a post from other people are who having the same concerns as me!!  I have been eating Frosted Shredded Wheat from Post for breakfast.  In the winter, I fix oats--I love oats--.  Both of those cereals work great.  Also, I have been taking a capsule as a stool softener because I'd been taking iron and that can really constipate me.  (Things are "moving right along" now, but dealing w/the hemorrhoids caused by the constipation are horrible!!  The over-the-counter stuff isn't working so well, either.  Have begun to wonder if they're bad enough to see the doc...but I'm too embarrassed to go!!  It's a good thing you all can't see me--my face is a bright red, and it's not a hot flash either .) !!  )

    Wordgirl and Jenna--I've been having those "aging??--who ME??" kinds of thoughts, too!  I have a bday in Sept. and getting closer to 5-0--I'm just not ready to be that age yet!!  I've got lots of stuff I want to do yet!!

    The ideas for acid reflux are good.  I was having heartburn daily until my doc prescribed Prevacid.  I tried going off of it (I REALLY don't like taking medication--makes me feel "old"...)  I was o.k. for a day or two, but then it was right back.  I know that losing weight will help that , and I'm going to try the water deal.

  I ALWAYS learn alot when I come to the message boards!  Thanks all!!

     

Jeannie said, "I've been having those "aging??--who ME??" kinds of thoughts, too!  I have a bday in Sept. and getting closer to 5-0 -- I'm just not ready to be that age yet!!  I've got lots of stuff I want to do yet!!

Life begins at 50 I have to chuckle to myself because you don't quite have one foot in the grave at 50. You'll have many years to do all that "stuff" you want to do. I'm 55 and I'm just beginning :biggrin: